What happens when an artist takes four years to complete the 2nd album? It usually indicates that the artist took great care in making it and this is no different, how much care was put into making this? Read on to find out

Council of Nine is an independent ambient record label from the U.K, which only has 3 releases but they were amazing releases. This is the 4th release for this label and Maitreya returns from a four-year hiatus with this album. Council of Nine is made up of Simon Lomax (who is Maitreya) and Kama Glover who does the artwork and the website design.

First thing that you notice is the packaging and the attention to detail with the cd and the case. Most cd?s that are packaged these days are poorly thought out and you can tell that this is not the case with this cd release. It contains an eye catching blue cover with a cool design that was done by Kama Glover. You open the cd case up and see another design that seems that the designer paid tremendous attention to detail. The cd is well designed and it fits well in with the overall design. You turn to the back and you see more design, which is eye catching and a tracklist that is carefully made. Top marks to Kama Glover for her design for this cd, seems that finally that someone has put tremendous effort into cd design. Her website design of the label?s site is amazing and also worth a look but take a look after reading this review.

Night Vision is the first song of this album. I hear a heavy bass during the song that comes in and out. You then get atmospheric noises coming in and out and this takes you away, which I imagine the music is designed to do. Maitreya creates a layered dream world with his unique sound that he carefully puts together and it makes you want to drift off into a state of aural bliss.

Subterranean according to the dictionary means something lying under the Earth?s surface or underground. This song gives you that feeling that you are in an underground cave with water and jagged formations of thousand-year-old rocks. I?ve never been in a cave but just listening to this takes me away to that place. You hear dripping water and swirling wind noises through out this ambient masterpiece. Maitreya is taking you to places with the music that most have never been and I bet it is deliberate. As you are listening to this, you realize why it took four years for this album to be created because everything is completely and carefully thought out. Maitreya is crafting sonic marvels with the precision of a surgeon?s hand.

Sinter is another song that reminds you of past experiences. I get the impression here of being in the rain during April. It is hard to describe but the warmth of Sinter is obvious. Maitreya is taking you on a musical journey of sorts and it takes you to places, some you have been to and some you have not been to. Each and every song takes you to something new, which is a great feeling.

Altocumulus according to dictionary.com is ?A cloud formation of rounded, fleecy, white or gray masses?. That?s the feeling that you honestly get from this track. You feel like you are drifting on a cloud overlooking the people down below. At one point, you feel like it is a radio transmission, must be the effects that were added into this song. A vocal sample is used later on around the track and it works well. This is another hard to describe song because the effects used are new to me.

Half Light starts with an almost thunder type noise. It certainly gets your attention and it is a nice way to start a track. Why start off gently, when you can start off with a bang?. You get the visual impression of being on a grassy plain cliff overlooking a village. It is another song that certainly takes you on a journey and after a few tracks, you know that?s done purposely. You want to be taken away and want to be taken on a musical ride after listening to this.

Lumen is an expanding track and you get more visual pictures from listening to it. I?m not sure if it is something with the effects that Maitreya has used but you get the impression of being outside in a frigid winter with the sun coming setting and the snow being blown around at your feet. The ambient track is well-constructed and about five and half minutes in, you hear footsteps and kids conversing but it is distorted in a way. The vocal does not take away from the track, as most tracks seem to do these days, it adds to the track and fits in perfectly.

We Are Linked is the 2nd to last track but the album does not wear on you at any point, like some albums tend to do. You wonder where the music journey will go next and you don?t seem to care where it will take you. This song gives you the sense of a frozen winter tundra and for the few that have experienced it, memories are brought back. This is truly in the style of Higher Intelligence Agency?s 1996 album called ?Polar Sequences?. A vocal is added about 4 minutes in and it simply says We Are Linked and like the other vocal samples that have been used with the songs, it does not take your attention away, it simply adds to the track and fits in well. This also reminds you of why it took four years to complete because everything was carefully planned and this track is more evidence of that.

Telluric Waves is the final track on this album. It is one of the few albums that I have not wanted to end, which is rare because most cd?s drag on too long but this album takes you to such places that you want it to continue or maybe Maitreya knows when to quit. This track gives you the impression that you are near a rushing waterfall, reminds me of my visits to Niagara Falls at Night, which the quietness and the water rushing over the falls. The track fades in and out at points, carefully teasing the listener. What a way to end the album and it feels like I?ve been taken on a trip around the world to various locations in all under an hour.

Tracklist

1.Night Vision
2.Subterranean
3.Sinter
4.Altocumulus
5.Half-Light
6.Lumen
7.We Are Linked
8. Telluric Waves

Conclusion:
This is essential listening for any chillout, downtempo or ambient music fan. This is a gem of an album, not too long, not too short. Every single track is made with surgical precision and planned with careful attention to detail. No track sounds like the other and that is a good thing because it is unique. Everything from the packaging to the CD is well planned out. Top marks to Simon Lomax for creating a quality release in the face of the quantity over quality era.